Hog-trap



A. J. GRUSH.

Hog Trap.

I N0 ,204. Patented Jan. 4,1881.

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UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW J. GRUSH, OF NIANTIG TOWNSHIP, MACON COUNTY, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM W. CARSON, OF NIANTIO, ILLINOIS.

HOG-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent -No. 236,204, dated January 4, 1881.

Application filed February 12, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. GRUsH, ot' Niantic, Macon county, Illinois, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Hog- Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to self-acting traps for securing and holding hogs while they are to have their noses rung or other operation performed on them.

The invention will be understood from the following specification and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure l is a perspective view of my device with the rails broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in both figures.

The framing of the trap is represented by the letters I H O Q, I being the rails; H, the front platform; 0, the top end beams, and Q the floor of the trap.

A is a door, pivoted at the top to one of the cross'beams O, and slides at the bottom in a way formed by the beads S S, placed upon a spring-treadle, G, which bears upward unless the pressure is overcome by a superior force from above. The door A is controlled by the levers O D, upon the latter of which is placed a weight, K, which may be adjusted in any one of the several rests W in the lever D. The tendency of the levers (J D is to keep the door 5 A closed; but this tendency is overcome by the tension of the spring-treadle G, which, by hearing against the bottom of the door when open, is sufficientto retain it thus.

To the door Ais pivoted a ratchet-latch, E,

0 which moves with the door, and when the door is closed, or even partially closed, it engages with the ratchets U on the stationary lever F, which is attached to the framing, and

. holds it securely.

The treadle G is secured by adjustable hinges R to the platform H, and rests upon the spring X, which is strong enough to keep the door A in place when open.

B is a stationary door, placed beside A at the front of the trap.

In the interior of the trap, near the entrance end, is placed the treadle J. This is pivoted by means of the rod j, which passes through the rails I, or may have hearings in short journals run up from the bottom of the pen beside 5 5 the treadle J, and has a connecting-rod, L, extending from a front corner backward and upward to the lever M, which is pivoted to the top framing of the trap. The lever M controls another lever, N, which bears under a projection or slot in the door P and suspends it. The door P slides up and down in a slot formed in the framing at this end of the trap.

The hog enters the trap through the door P, which is kept elevated for the purpose. 6 As he passes over upon the end J of the treadle J the connection L M N drops the door, and escape is cut off in' this direction. Advancing toward the door A, which has been kept open by the pressure exerted upon it by the spring- 0 treadle Gr, he steps upon this spring-treadle and releases the door, when the levers O D and weight K force it shut, or so far shut as to catch his neck, which, by the relative and proper adjustment of parts will be protruded 7 just at this moment. The closing of the door brings the latch E into engagement with the latch F, and the door is locked. Any desired operation may then be readily performed by one person alone.

As the size of the hogs may difi'er, the treadle Gr may have its hinges R adjusted accordingly by being placed in any of a series of holes, T.

Having thus described my invention, I de- 8 sire to claim-- 1. The pivoted door A, in combination with the spring-treadle Gr, levers U D, and weight K, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the treadle Gr, spring 90 X, locking-latches E F, and pivoted door A, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the treadle J, connections L M N, and door P, substantially as described.

ANDREW J. GRUSH.

W'itnesses WILLIAM W. OARsoN, GEORGE W. DINGMAN. 

